I'll be crossing the border (south) to look at an American Pontiac of said vintage this week, and in my musiings over the restoration process, have been wondering as a Pontiac neophyte how much easier it might be to hold out and find a Canadian version of the 59 wagon. For instance, I'd like to convert the drums to discs. Im guessing a Canadian pontiac would be as simple as ordering up 59 Chev discs, whereas 59 american pontiac kits are non existent from what Ive been able to find. Same goes for the rest of the running gear. I guess Im asking to what extent is a car of this vintage a "Chevrolet", and should that be a consideration for a car that will likely see alot of driving and general abuse. Thanks. I hope this makes sense.
And, not to sound to blunt, I would not touch an american pontiac with a ten-foot-pole.
You would have nothing but problems locating parts, everything is different on a canadian pontiac. And like you mentioned with the brake upgrade, it would be a pain in the butt.
And i'm not just saying it because im canadian bias. I think if i was an american, i would prefer the simlicity of a canadian pontiac being all chevy components too.
-- Edited by beaumontguru on Saturday 10th of April 2010 06:03:59 PM
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Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.
I agree. When it comes to finding chassis components, a Canadian Pontiac is the way to go. Of course, try to find the best example you can as some of those body parts for our cars can be hard to find.
Im on another site called pontiac-59.com (which is an american site) and from what ive read it is really hard to get parts. They are always mad at me because i have no problem getting anything for the frame and running gear, just 59 impala parts. Now, if you need body panels you are s@#t out of luck because nobody makes them. You can get american interior but not canadian. Thats why i went for a rat rod car, I dont have the cash for a real reno!! Parts for the 59 are really hard to come by, so hopefully its all there. I hope i dident scare you because i really want somebody else on this site to have a 59!!!
-- Edited by 59poncho on Saturday 10th of April 2010 06:50:26 PM
As already stated stay away. I know guys who have American 57 Pontiacs and they say parts are hard to find. As for Interior you can match Canadian. The fabric is Chevy you just have to buy it and get an upholster to saw to match existing'
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
Thanks alot for the responses so far-I had no idea the american cars were so hard to get parts for. Striper SS, I'd love to hear about the wagon in your area as well. I still am planning on going down to take a look, but will judge the car accordingly.Thanks
Thanks alot for the responses so far-I had no idea the american cars were so hard to get parts for. Striper SS, I'd love to hear about the wagon in your area as well. I still am planning on going down to take a look, but will judge the car accordingly.Thanks
Great, I'll make arrangements to go look at it, and take some photos.
